San Jose: Police seeking tips in deadly weekend shooting

By Robert Salonga

San Jose Mercury News

Posted:
11/27/2013 06:34:29 AM PST

Updated:
11/27/2013 06:34:33 AM PST

SAN JOSE -- Investigators continue their pleas to the public for information that could lead them to suspects in the slaying of 18-year-old Pedro Dado Cortez, who was shot to death in his East San Jose neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

Police were called to the 800 block of Peter Pan Avenue, near Capitol Park, for reports of gunfire and found Cortez, who once attended James Lick High School, suffering from at least one gunshot wound in the chest. He died at the scene.

A news release put out by San Jose police Tuesday did not identify a motive or suspects in the attack, but the victim's relatives said they saw a black convertible Camaro pull up, and a gunman wearing a bandanna over his face opened fire at Cortez as he walked with two friends.

Cortez died at the scene. It marked the city's 44th homicide of the year, a total that includes a case being investigated by San Jose State University police that SJPD does not count toward its figures. There have also been three homicides this year in unincorporated parts of the city that are investigated by the Sheriff's Office.

Anyone with information about the Cortez case may contact homicide detectives at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or with svcrimestoppers.org.